Exercising apparatus



F. c. SEGALLA EXERCISING APPARATUS Filed March 19, 1945 2 sheets-sheet 1 INVENTOR.

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ATI'D R N EYS March i9, 1946, E C, EGALLA 2,397,954

EXERCISING APPARATUS 2 sheets-sheet 2 Filed Mafoh 19, 1945 @$1 v %w l ma@ ,www hm.. h.

A'ITD R N EYE Patented Mar. 19, 194e UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EXERCISING APPARATUS Fiorello C. Segalla, Canaan, Conn. l Application March 19, 1945, Serial No. 583,575

Claims. (C1. 272-453) This invention relates to improvements in exercising apparatus, or more particularly to a device which is adapted to be used by a person when exercising in a reclining position.

One object of the invention being to provide a device by which a person can obtain a maximum amount of exercise with a minimum amount of effort.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device that is simple in construction, inexpensive, strong and durable, an well adapted for the purpose for which it is designed.

Other objects will appear in the course of the following specification and claims and in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the invention.

, Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the same.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a front view of one of the foot rests or pedals, and

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the guideway or track in which the foot rests are slideably mounted.

Referring now more in detail to the drawings, the numeral I0 designates the apparatus as a whole, and comprises a substantially rectangular shaped base or platform having legs or supporting members I2 at the ends and sides thereof, which are adapted to be connected to the depending rim I3, which in turn is connected to the outer edge or periphery I4 of the base or platform l I, in any well known manner.

The above mentioned members may be made of wood or steel, but in either instance, the person performing the exercise will recline onthe platform I while exercising.

To prevent marring of the floors of the house, and to prevent movement of the device while exercising, the members I2 are provided with cushioning members I5, which can be made of rubber or any substitute therefore.

Arranged on the forward end portion of the base or platform are tracks or guideways I6, arranged in parallel spaced relation to each other longitudinally of the platform II.

The guide ways comprise separate channel members |1,.having ldepending anges |8, which are received in slots I9 which extend longitudinally of the platform I I, and are mounted in the platform I I in parallel relation to each other. Each member I1 is provided with laterally extending ears 20 at each end therefor, for connection to the platformv in any wellknown manner. f

Slideably mounted in the guide ways 'IB are arcuate shaped members 2|, which are provided with horizontally extending projections 22 at the medial point thereof. The projections 22 are adapted to reciprocate in the channel members I1.

The upper ends of the arcuate members 2| are provided with pivotal pins or shafts 23, on which are pivotally mountedv projections 24 which are formed integral with foot rests or pedals 25.

` 'I'he foot rests 25 are provided with semi-circular upwardly extending portions 26 which provide means for positioning the foot of the person using the apparatus.

The lower ends of themembers 2|, which extend below the platform I I, are provided with pins 26 which are adapted to receive the eyes 21 of coil springs 28.

The eyes 29 formed on thet other end of springs 28, are adapted to receive one end of the cables 30, the other, or free end of the cable 30 having loop handles 3| secured thereto in any well known manner.

The cables 30 are adapted to extend from the springs 28 to the opposite end of the platform II, therebyforming crossed cables on the under surface of the platform.

The cables 28 are trained over a pair of pulleys 32 and secured to the opposite end of the platform |I.

The pulleys 32 are mounted on the under surface of the platform in bearings 33, which are positioned on opposite ends of the slots 34, thereby permitting the pulleys 32 to extend into the slots 34.

Positioned rearwardly of the point where the cables 30 cross, are guide pulleys 35 which are connected to the platform in any well known manner. These pulleys 35 being adapted to guide and retain the cables 30 in proper position.

Extending parallel with each other, and longitudinally of the platform I, are rows of openings 36 which are adapted to receive downwardly depending struts 31., which are connected to rearwardly extending portions 38 of shoulder rests 39.

The shoulder rests 39 are provided with shoulder pads 4|) to cushion the shoulders of the occupant.

The openings 36 are provided to adjust the shoulder rest according to the persons height using the apparatus.

In operation, the shoulders of the occupant are placed against the pads 40 and the feet are placed in the foot rests 25. Then, by grasping the handles 3l in the hands and exerting a pull thereon, the foot rests 25 will slide forward on the opposite side during the pulling.

Therefore, the more effort exerted by the legs of the occupant to resist the pull of their hands, the more exercise will be received and a maximum amount of exercise can therefore be obtained with a minimum amount of effort.

There is thus provided a device which is compact and which Will enable a person to` exercise their limbs in a positive and eilicient manner. The simplicity of the device enabling the same to be constructed at a low cost and yet provide a device which will be strong and durable.

While there has been shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that minor changes in the` size, shape, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention, and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is: Y

Cilv

1. In a device of the character described, a platform, depending side and end Walls connected to the periphery of said platform, longitudinal parallel trackways in the forward end of said platform, foot rests reciprocatingly mounted in said trackways, parallel slots in the opposite end of said platform, pulleys mounted in said slots, means trained over said pulleys for connecting a pair of handles with said foot rests and shoulder rests positioned on said platform in proximity to said pulley mounting slots.

2. The invention as described in claim 1, wherein coil springs are mounted in the means connecting said handle and said foot rests. 

